Saturday, August 21, 2010

A Very Hot Zoo Trip

In 90 degree heat, we thought it would be a good idea to pack up 2 boys, a pregnant Mama Bear and a very patient and understanding Papa Bear and head out to the Reston Zoo.

The last time we went to the Reston Zoo, Peanut was only a month or two old and was tucked safely in the stroller or my arms. This time he was actively trying to feed his hands to the goats, drink the milk for the baby sheep and eat the animal food. Peanut loved the tractor ride, but hated having to sit and wait for it to go. He enjoyed watching the monkeys but preferred the loud goats and sheep. He almost propelled himself out of the tractor to see the baby rhea and thought that the zebra was very exciting.

Little Man was braver than he has ever been in feeding the animals but sought out the "little ones" and tried to stay away from the "big guys". He liked the goats over the sheep because he didn't like how loud the sheep were bleating. He was hoping to ride a pony and go on the tractor ride but since we only had time for one before I melted into a huge puddle he picked the tractor ride.

It was an exhausting, excruciatingly hot, wonderfully successful trip that made the boys really happy. Little Man talked about it throughout the day and even mumbled about the lemurs as he was drifting off to sleep.

Little Man Cheesing Spaghettio

Family Photo

Trying to get the boys to both look at the camera was impossible!


Feeding the "little ones"


Reluctantly giving the goats the milk he was hoping was for him!



Peanut almost out of the tractor to watch the baby rheas

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

A Goodbye Routine

Each morning when Papa Bear leaves for work my little ones line up to say their goodbyes. It is a process and even on his busiest of days Papa Bear is wonderful and tolerant of their many requests for goodbyes. It starts with Little Man doing at least 2 "thumb-flips". My little gymnast grabs hold of Papa Bears thumbs, jumps up while flipping around and then lands back on his feet. This is done no less than 2 times in preparation for Papa Bear's departure. Now Peanut is insistant on not being left out so he has his own version that he lines up for. Papa Bear grabs him under the arms and tells him to bend his knees and jump. He usually complies with the bend his knees part but it is totally up to Papa Bear to heft that 32 pounds up. Then Peanut puts his feet on Papa Bear's shoulders and leans back to be flipped over and is gently handed down to the ground. Now he gets no less than 2 of these prior to Papa Bear walking out the door. Now the boys know how to work their poor Papa so the next request is usually that Little Man wants to do wheel barrow walks and Peanut wants to do pretend pull-ups on the pull up bar. Finally Papa Bear gets close to the door and there are screams for the most important part - hugs and kisses. So hugs and kisses are handed out and Papa Bear throws me a kiss so as not to be lured back in by the boys and runs out the door. This has been known to take up to 15 minutes on a good day. He is just the best Papa Bear in the world - unapproved thumb flips and all! We love you Papa Bear!